Daniel Valente Jr. (born October 23, 1999) is a Canadian professional football defensive back who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football at Western. He has also been a member of the Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes.
| Born: | October 23, 1999 London, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Defensive back |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 176 lb (80 kg) |
| University | Western |
| High school | Catholic Central (London, ON) |
| CFL draft | 2022, round: 4, pick: 31 |
| Drafted by | Ottawa Redblacks |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022–2023 | Ottawa Redblacks* |
| 2023 | Montreal Alouettes* |
| 2023 | Toronto Argonauts |
| *Offseason and/or practice roster member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career stats | |
| |
Early life
editDaniel Valente Jr. played high school football at Catholic Central High School in London, Ontario.[1][2] He played junior football for the London Junior Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and was a multi-time OVFL all-star.[2][3] Valente also represented Team Canada in the U-19 International Bowl against the United States on January 28, 2017.[2][4]
University career
editValente played U Sports football at Western from 2017 to 2022.[1] Western won the 53rd Vanier Cup in 2017 and the 56th Vanier Cup in 2021. In 2021, Valente earned first team All-Canadian and first team All-Ontario University Athletics (OUA) honors while also being named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game of the 56th Vanier Cup.[1] After spending time with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), Valente returned to Western for his final season of U Sports football in 2022.[5] In 2022, he again garnered first team All-Canadian and first team All-OUA recognition while also being named the OUA's Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player of the Year.[1]
Professional career
editOttawa Redblacks
editValente was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the fourth round, with the 31st overall pick, of the 2022 CFL Draft.[6] He signed with the team on May 9, 2022.[7] He was moved to the practice roster on June 5, released from the practice roster on July 7, re-signed to the practice roster on July 12, and released from the practice roster on July 19, 2022, returning to Western for his final season of U Sports football.[8][9] Valente re-signed with the Redblacks on December 7, 2022.[7] He was released on June 9, 2023, and signed to the practice roster on June 26 before being released on August 15, 2023.[10]
Montreal Alouettes
editValente was signed to the practice roster of the Montreal Alouettes on August 29, 2023, and released by the team on September 28, 2023.[11][12]
Toronto Argonauts
editValente was signed to the Toronto Argonauts' practice roster on October 2, 2023.[13] He was promoted to the active roster on October 27 and dressed in one game for the Argonauts but did not record any statistics.[13][14] He was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2023.[13] Valente re-signed with the team for the 2024 season, but was released at the start of training camp on May 15, 2024.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "DANIEL VALENTE JR". argonauts.ca. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Mustangs Football announces the signing of Daniel Valente and Jake Andrews". westernmustangs.ca. September 30, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Palmer, Claire (November 3, 2016). "Who are the Junior Mustangs?". westerngazette.ca. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "2017 Upper Deck USA Football - [Base] - Red Border #157 - Daniel Valente". comc.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Toronto Argonauts sign five, including former Redblacks' draft pick Daniel Valente". 3downnation.com. October 2, 2023. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Goodison, Ryan (January 20, 2023). "Path to the pros: Daniel Valente Jr. heads to the nation's capital". westerngazette.ca. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ottawa RedBlacks Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Benvenuti, Frankie (May 15, 2023). "SECOND TRAINING CAMP BRINGING THE BEST OUT OF ROOKIE REDBLACKS". ottawaredblacks.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Pyette, Ryan (August 26, 2022). "CFL-tested stalwart eyes Vanier Cup repeat with Western Mustangs". lfpress.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Ottawa RedBlacks Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "footballdb.com". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Alouettes sign DL Desjardins, DB Valente; release Canadian WR Mayala". thespec.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Toronto Argonauts Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Daniel Valente". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Argonauts revise statement, say Chad Kelly not on suspended list but away from team". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 15, 2024.